Book Review: The Testing of M. Falk Gjertsen by Nina Draxten

still is innocently enshrined by many. Though not a scholarly work,
her book does contain information that scholars, students, and the
general audience of those interested in European-American immi­gration
may find useful. Were it presented with a more critical
attitude toward the subject matter, is would be more useful still.
J O H N E R IC BELLQUIST
A u s t i n , Texas
Nina Draxten. THE TESTING OF M. FALK GJERTSEN. Topical
Studies, No. 4. Northfield, Minnesota: The Norwegian-American
Historical Association, 1988. 134 pp., hardcover, $12.00.
Another contribution to Scandinavian-American biographical
literature has appeared, Nina Draxten's The T e s t i n g of M . F a lk
G j e r t s e n . This is the fourth volume in the series Topical Studies,
published by the Norwegian-American Historical Association.
Nina Draxten's purpose is to redress the reputation of M . Falk
Gjertsen (1847-1913), ordained in 1868 and a minister who served
the Norwegian-American Lutheran Church in Minneapolis for
more than forty years. During the first decade of the 1900s, he was
subjected to an accusation of immoral behavior, which eventually
led to his leaving his pastorate. The scandal originated in an
anonymous letter to a married Norwegian woman whom Gjertsen
had met several times on a trip to Norway. He was accused of
having written this letter. According to the moral attitudes of the
time, the letter was considered indecent and offensive; and
Gjertsen did not seem worthy of leadership in the Church. The
legal process was exceedingly slow and trying, especially for
Gjertsen himself, who had to travel to Norway to assert his
innocence.
In the first part of her book, Nina Draxten tells the entire story
with the wealth of detail of a detective writer. She describes, with
empathy, the suffering that Gjertsen must have endured because of
the supposedly false accusation. The second part, " A Personal
Triumph," follows Gjertsen's subsequent life. His zealous and
indefatigable work for the Church and for people needing help—as
well as the loyal support from his congregation—give the picture of
a re-established and respected pastor, worthy of inclusion in
Norwegian-American historiography.
89
One of the great merits of this book is that it gives insight into the
role a minister played in Scandinavian-American society—as a
church leader; a representative of the religious institution, and a
bearer of culture. Gjertsen is presented not only as a pastor but also
as a social worker and an editor of Vor T i d , a literary magazine
published in Minneapolis. Nina Draxten characterizes Gjertsen as
" a transitional figure," a pioneer in introducing a new point of
view, one that implied greater tolerance and appreciation of
American values. Furthermore, he acted as an intermediary
between religious and secular organizations.
Some objections can be made to Nina Draxten's approach to her
subject. It is obvious that her aim is to exonerate an esteemed
church leader. A more consistent historical objectivity, however,
could have been attempted by the author, disregarding the issue of
Gjertsen's having been " g u i l t y " or not. Draxten's account gives
the impression of an apologia, which is not altogether convincing
historical writing. Furthermore, a broader outline of Norwegian-
American society would have been appropriate as a background to
the biographical story. Perhaps there was not enough space for this.
Finally, one misses a selected bibliography for those readers whose
curiosity has been aroused. Because through her captivating
writing style, Nina Draxten definitely sparks one's interest in
Norwegian-American conditions in general.
A N N A WILLIAMS
U p p s a l a U n i v e r s i ty
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
N e w Sweden in t h e N e w W o r l d , 1 6 3 8 - 1 6 5 5 , ed. Rune Ruhnbro, trans.
Richard E. Fish (Höganäs: Förlags A B Wiken, 1988, 169 pp., $49.95)
is a handsomely illustrated, large-format volume containing chap­ters
by several contributors. It is available i n the United States
through Alfred J. Nicolosy, 7 Delaware Ave., Penns Grove, NJ
08069.
* * *
90

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still is innocently enshrined by many. Though not a scholarly work,
her book does contain information that scholars, students, and the
general audience of those interested in European-American immi­gration
may find useful. Were it presented with a more critical
attitude toward the subject matter, is would be more useful still.
J O H N E R IC BELLQUIST
A u s t i n , Texas
Nina Draxten. THE TESTING OF M. FALK GJERTSEN. Topical
Studies, No. 4. Northfield, Minnesota: The Norwegian-American
Historical Association, 1988. 134 pp., hardcover, $12.00.
Another contribution to Scandinavian-American biographical
literature has appeared, Nina Draxten's The T e s t i n g of M . F a lk
G j e r t s e n . This is the fourth volume in the series Topical Studies,
published by the Norwegian-American Historical Association.
Nina Draxten's purpose is to redress the reputation of M . Falk
Gjertsen (1847-1913), ordained in 1868 and a minister who served
the Norwegian-American Lutheran Church in Minneapolis for
more than forty years. During the first decade of the 1900s, he was
subjected to an accusation of immoral behavior, which eventually
led to his leaving his pastorate. The scandal originated in an
anonymous letter to a married Norwegian woman whom Gjertsen
had met several times on a trip to Norway. He was accused of
having written this letter. According to the moral attitudes of the
time, the letter was considered indecent and offensive; and
Gjertsen did not seem worthy of leadership in the Church. The
legal process was exceedingly slow and trying, especially for
Gjertsen himself, who had to travel to Norway to assert his
innocence.
In the first part of her book, Nina Draxten tells the entire story
with the wealth of detail of a detective writer. She describes, with
empathy, the suffering that Gjertsen must have endured because of
the supposedly false accusation. The second part, " A Personal
Triumph," follows Gjertsen's subsequent life. His zealous and
indefatigable work for the Church and for people needing help—as
well as the loyal support from his congregation—give the picture of
a re-established and respected pastor, worthy of inclusion in
Norwegian-American historiography.
89
One of the great merits of this book is that it gives insight into the
role a minister played in Scandinavian-American society—as a
church leader; a representative of the religious institution, and a
bearer of culture. Gjertsen is presented not only as a pastor but also
as a social worker and an editor of Vor T i d , a literary magazine
published in Minneapolis. Nina Draxten characterizes Gjertsen as
" a transitional figure," a pioneer in introducing a new point of
view, one that implied greater tolerance and appreciation of
American values. Furthermore, he acted as an intermediary
between religious and secular organizations.
Some objections can be made to Nina Draxten's approach to her
subject. It is obvious that her aim is to exonerate an esteemed
church leader. A more consistent historical objectivity, however,
could have been attempted by the author, disregarding the issue of
Gjertsen's having been " g u i l t y " or not. Draxten's account gives
the impression of an apologia, which is not altogether convincing
historical writing. Furthermore, a broader outline of Norwegian-
American society would have been appropriate as a background to
the biographical story. Perhaps there was not enough space for this.
Finally, one misses a selected bibliography for those readers whose
curiosity has been aroused. Because through her captivating
writing style, Nina Draxten definitely sparks one's interest in
Norwegian-American conditions in general.
A N N A WILLIAMS
U p p s a l a U n i v e r s i ty
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
N e w Sweden in t h e N e w W o r l d , 1 6 3 8 - 1 6 5 5 , ed. Rune Ruhnbro, trans.
Richard E. Fish (Höganäs: Förlags A B Wiken, 1988, 169 pp., $49.95)
is a handsomely illustrated, large-format volume containing chap­ters
by several contributors. It is available i n the United States
through Alfred J. Nicolosy, 7 Delaware Ave., Penns Grove, NJ
08069.
* * *
90